The author of a best-selling biography of Diego Maradona, and similarly widely acclaimed books on FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, digs deep into the roots of the most popular sport, to look at how football played in Spain became the most admired in the world. From its early beginnings when the first football on the shores of Bilbao and Buenos Aires was played by British sailors and engineers, through to the influx of South American stars, and similarly inspirational Italians, Dutchman and Scandinavians, the author shows how the engagement of foreigners with home-grown Spanish talent overcame political adversity and produced football of sublime skill, passion, and unparalleled entertainment value.The book takes us on a journey through some of the extraordinary characters, games, and moments that have defined Spanish football from the early days when a few enthusiasts developed their talent kicking a ball around on a piece of industrial waste-ground or beach, to the emergence of rival giants, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid - the most powerful and successful football clubs in the world - and a national team that, encompassing all that was most brilliant in the Spanish League, became the World Champions.

For example, did you know that Spain has the second highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites - after Italy? It also has many UNESCO Intangible Cultural assets, including Flamenco, the Mediterraen Diet, the Castells of Catalonia and, added in December 2012, the Fiestas of the Patios in Cordoba Andalucia.

In addition, we have created Spanish Themes to help you learn more about special aspects of Spanish history and culture. Currently Books4Spain has 3 Spanish Themes: Flamenco, the Spanish Civil War, and the Camino de Santiago Books within each of these Themes are categorised into books about People, Objects and Places related to that Theme. For example, you can find books with information about the cockle shell of St James, the Holy Grail in the Monastery of San Juan de la Pena and the Codex Calixtinus - the first travel guidebook for pilgrims in the Camino de Santiago Theme.